The third plenary session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 21, 2020. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - China's top political advisory body started its annual session Thursday afternoon in Beijing. 

President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting of the third session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which is held at the Great Hall of the People. 

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Attendees at the meeting paid a silent tribute to martyrs who died fighting COVID-19 and compatriots who lost their lives in the epidemic

Attendees at the meeting paid a silent tribute to martyrs who died fighting COVID-19 and compatriots who lost their lives in the epidemic. 

At the meeting, the agenda for the session was reviewed and approved.

Wang Yang, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee to the session.

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The report mentioned the role of political advisers in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, saying that they have submitted more than 1,300 reports and suggestions on preventing and controlling the epidemic, resuming work and production, stabilizing public expectations and strengthening law-based governance.

Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, delivers a report on the work of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee at the opening meeting of the third session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 21, 2020. (XINHUA)

Giving full play to the role of the CPPCC as a specialist consultative body, 71 consultation meetings, 97 research trips as well as online consultations were organized in the past year, according to the report.

IN PICTURES: China's top political advisory body opens annual session in Beijing

The report mapped out arrangements for the CPPCC's work in 2020 in six aspects, urging political advisors to fulfil their duties around achieving a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Attendees at the meeting were also briefed on the handling of proposals submitted since the previous annual session of the top political advisory body.